Locking device for turnbuckles



March 9, 1954 E. WlLLE LOCKING DEVICE FOR TURNBUCKLES Filed June 12, 1952 E rnesf Willa INVENTOR.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 12, 1952 Ernest Will INVENTOR.

Patented Mar. 9, 1954 ITED STATES PATENT ICE 2,67 1,681 LOCKING DEVICE FOR TUBNBUGKEES Ernest Willa, MountaimI-Iome, Idaho Application June 12, 1952, Seria'l'No. 293,124

3 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to new and use- 'ful improvements in looking devices for turnbuckles to secure the barrel of the turnbuckle from turning relative to the cable connectors threaded therein'and thus prevent loosening of the turnbuckle after the same has been adjusted.

The invention is designed primarily for use in airplane construction wherein turnbuckles are employed to adjust the tension of cables and an important'object of the invention is to provide locking means for the turnbuckle which may be attached thereto without disturbing the adjustment thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a turnbuckle locking'd'evice comprisinga clip having means for locking to theturnbu'ckle barrel and a pair -of extensible bars slidable in the clip and havinglocking-engagement with the pair of cable connectors and wherein the locking means for the clip may be removed and the clip removed from either end of the barrel for adjusting the barrel without disturbing the locked position of the bars on the connectors.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of this character of simple and practical construction, which is efficient and reliable in operation, relatively inexpensive to manufacture and otherwise well adapted for the purposes for which the same is intended.

Other objects and advantages reside in the de tails of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like u parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view;

Figure 2 is a top plan view;

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on a line 33 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the main clip for the barrel of the turnbuckle;

Figures 5 and 6 are perspective views of the pair of locking bars for the cable connectors;

Figure 7 is a side elevational view of a modified construction;

Figure 8 is a top plan view thereof;

Figure 9 is a side elevational view of a further modification; and,

Figure 10 is a top plan view thereof.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, and first with respect to the specific construction shown in Figures 1 to 5 inclusive, the numeral 5 designates a resilient channelled main clip of substantially U-shape in cross section, and ineluding a pair of outwardly curved side portions 6 and a fiat 'bi'ght portion =1. The side portions 6' are parallel to each other, at a point immediate- Iy adjacent the 'bight portion '1, to form a chamber 8 of rectangular shape -in cross-section having each end open and extending longitudinally of the clip.

The clip is snapped on the barrel 9 of a turnbuckle in the opposite ends of which the usual cable attaching rods or connectors 10 and II are threaded. Barrel '9 is formed with a transverse openinglZ and eachside-B of clip 5is formed with a pair of openings 13 and M, the opening l3 being positioned adjacent the parallel portion Set the clip and opening 14 being positioned adjacent the free edge of the clip and the opening |=3 at one side of the clip being alined with the opening M at the opposite side of the clip and transversely through the opening [2 of the barrel. Accordingly the-barrel may be locked at each or quarter turning adjustment of the barrel by sliding the clip thereon to register the openings of the clip with the opening of the barrel. The cotter key l5 passes through the barrel between the opposing inner ends of the connectors 10 and II.

A pair of flat, ribbon-like locking bars l6 and I? have inner end portions positioned in overlapping relation to each other in the parallel side portions 8 of the clip with a close sliding fit and the outer end of bar It is formed with a U-shaped clip l8 adapted to receive a hexagonal wrench-engaging portion I9 of connector l0 and an opening 23 is drilled in the clip l8 adapted for aligning with a transverse opening 2| in the connector to receive a cotter key or pin 22 for locking the clip 18 to the connector.

The other bar I! is formed at its outer end with an eye 23 to engage a bolt and nut 24 of a cable attaching clevis 25 at the outer end of connector H.

In types of turnbuckles where both cable connectors 26 and 21 are formed with hexagonal wrench-engaging portions 28, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, duplicate locking bars 29 and 30 are used and each is formed at its outer end with a U-shaped clip 3| secured to the connector by a cotter pin 32. Otherwise, the construction is similar to Figures 1 to 5 inclusive.

Likewise where the connectors 33 and 34 of the turnbuckle are both provided with cable attaching clevises 35 at their outer ends, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, the locking bars 36 and 31 are formed at their outer ends with eyes 38 for attaching to the bolts and nuts 33.

In either form 01' the invention, the clip 5 is snapped on the barrel 9 of the turnbuckle, after the latter has been adjusted to place a desired tension on the cables attached thereto (not shown), and the inner ends of the locking bars 16 and I! are placed under the flat bight portion of the clip between the parallel side portions 8 thereof.

The outer ends of the bars are then secured to the connectors l and H of the turnbuckle, by either the clip [8 or eye 23, depending on the type of connector used, and the cotter key is then inserted in the opening l3 or H of the main clip 5, according to the alignment of the hole in barrel 9, to pass transversely through the barrel 9, to thus lock the barrel from turning.

The barrel may be adjusted on the connectors by removing the cotter key I5 and sliding the main clip 5 from either end of the barrel without disturbing the locking bars.

In view of the foregoing description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings it is believed that a clear understanding of the device will be quite apparent to those skilled in the art. A more detailed description is accordingly deemed unnecessary.

It is to be understood, however, that even though there is herein shown and described a preferred embodiment of the invention the same is susceptible to certain changes fully comprehended by the spirit of the invention as herein described and the scope of the appended claims.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is: 4

1. A look for turnbuckles of a type including an internally threaded barrel adapted for threadedly receiving a pair of connectors in the ends thereof, said barrel having a transverse opening, a channel-shaped clip mounted on the barrel, said clip having parallel side walls at its bight portion forming a chamber at the back of the clip extending longitudinally of the clip and open at each end, locking means carried by the clip and engaged in the opening of the barrel to hold the barrel from relative turning movement in the clip, a pair of locking bars having inner end portions adjustably positioned in the chamber of the clip and projecting outwardly beyond the ends of the clip, and means locking the outer ends of the bars to the respective connectors.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said first named locking means comprises a pin passing transversely through the clip clear of the chamber and through the opening of the barrel.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said clip is shiftable longitudinally of the barrel and is formed with diagonally alined upper and lower openings in its opposite sides clear of the chamber and adapted for aligning with the opening of the barrel, and said locking means comprises a pin selectively inserted in the alined upper opening at one side of the clip and in the lower opening at the opposite side of the clip.

ERNEST WILLE.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Germany Dec. 14, 1933 

